A heavy spell of rainfall lashed parts of the national capital and adjoining areas on Saturday (September 23) accompanied by thunderstorm and gusty winds. Following weeks of scorching heat, the residents of Delhi-NCR were blessed with a pleasantly cooler afternoon today as heavy showers brought respite from sultry and humid weather conditions.
Several parts of the national capital and NCR, including east and central Delhi, Shahdara, northeast Delhi, South Delhi and parts of Ghaziabad witnessed heavy rainfall following cloudy weather.
IMD predicts more downpour in Delhi-NCR
Moreover, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more downpours with light rain and drizzle during the day. According to the data by IMD, the Capital city recorded a minimum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius today, three notches above the season’s average. The Met Office also said that the maximum temperature is likely to settle at 36 degrees Celsius.
As per the meteorological department, the humidity level was recorded at 115 per cent in Delhi on Saturday morning. Earlier, the weather department had predicted a generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle during the day.
Delhi’s air quality in satisfactory category
Furthermore, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 84 around 9 am. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
Monsoon withdrawal likely from Sept 25
Meanwhile, IMD on Friday said that the southwest monsoon is likely to begin its retreat from northwest India around September 25.
Usually, the southwest monsoon begins over Kerala by June 1 and extends its coverage across the entire country by July 8. Its retreat from northwest India usually commences around September 17 and concludes by October 15.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), there is an expectation of ongoing decreased rainfall activity in northwest India and adjacent west-central regions for the next five days. Conditions are becoming conducive for the southwest monsoon to recede from certain areas of west Rajasthan around September 25.